You are the first :p
From my personal point of view I want an equal in my wife. Not someone has the same qualities. But someone who I can respect, trust and someone who will look out for me as an equal. Most women will beat me with a stick for what I say next but it is what guys have said or I know.
Women are our comfort zone. While women go to other women for comfort, men do not go to men. They look for the female companion they feel most comfortable with and look for emotional support from them. That in this case is the wife. And frankly it has to do with attitude. A guy when comes home from a rough day in general be it work, family or what not. He just wants to be pampered. This is not an every day thing.
The day i was robbed in Darfur, I was inches away from calling my ex. Its just one of those things. I have seen the same with my other male friends. **** happens, you feel like crap, a girl is 99% of the time your pillar for emotional support.
Also men need distance. If they are worried about something just give him some chai or whatever he likes to drink and just cuddle up to him while he sits their silently. Let him broach the issue. Physically the fact that you sit next to him and wait for him to start and just give him that sort of comfort is a big factor.
Not everything has to be verbal. Simple gestures mean a lot. Men are more than the simpletons made out in movies :p
I am rambling but this is a rather large and complex issue and it changes from man to man. More specific situations would be better at answer this question.
Thanks CM. That was very insightful and encouraging.